Arrival at Heaven Dou City

"You've been writing and sketching all along the way, and most of it has been about the empire's troop deployments in this region."

"Are you planning a rebellion?"

Her words carried both teasing and seriousness. Huangfu Ji was the Grand Duke Qingyang, ruler of a nation. What exactly was he planning by recording so much along the way?

If he was not planning a rebellion, why record these things?

Huangfu Ji, who had been making notes in a small notebook, suddenly froze. He abruptly looked at Tang Yuehua, his eyes flashing with sword-like sharpness.

Tang Yuehua could not help but shudder. For an instant, she actually felt danger.

Could Huangfu Ji really be planning a rebellion?

If she had guessed correctly, would Huangfu Ji kill her to silence her?

Huangfu Ji withdrew his gaze, and the coldness on his face was replaced by a smile.

"What kind of joke is that? My Huangfu Family has been loyal for generations, serving the empire faithfully for four hundred years. How could we possibly rebel?"

"Do I really look like a rebel?"

He pointed at his handsome face.

Tang Yuehua slowly closed the carriage window and did not bring up the subject again. She regretted asking. If Huangfu Ji really rebelled in the future, would that not mean her investment had been wasted?

But even if he truly rebelled, so what?

After spending this time together, she had already come to recognize Huangfu Ji as a friend. She did not want him to go astray. Rebellion was a crime that could wipe out an entire clan.

Besides, what could the Qingyang Duchy possibly use to contend against the empire?

The moment the carriage window closed, the smile vanished from Huangfu Ji's face, and coldness covered it once more.

Tang Yuehua's words seemed to have struck some hidden chord within him.

Rebellion?

To him, it was both an unfamiliar and familiar word. He had never considered such things before. He had been young then, and most of his energy had gone into cultivation.

Besides, his goal had been to become a god.

Yet Tang Yuehua's words seemed to point him toward another fork in the road.

It was not that he truly wanted to rebel. He was not an idiot; he knew exactly how vast the difference in strength was between a duchy and an empire. Rebellion was no different from courting death.

But as he grew stronger, the empire's wariness toward him would inevitably increase, especially after he returned to the duchy and reclaimed power. Would the empire still tolerate him then?

The answer was obvious. Basically, no.

The empire's control over its vassal states had been growing weaker and weaker. Especially after Xue Ye had just ascended the throne, he fought a great war against the Star Luo Empire. That war ended in Heaven Dou Empire's crushing defeat. Not only did it lose soul masters and elite troops, but Xue Ye himself had nearly died on the battlefield. If not for his generals risking their lives to save him, he would have died long ago.

Since that battle, the empire had been recuperating and licking its wounds.

Huangfu Ji was naturally unwilling to remain beneath others. Having been reborn into this world, how could he not accomplish something great? Besides, he had started with such an excellent position. Though he lacked authority, he was still the ruler of a nation.

Once he reclaimed power, he would definitely lead the Qingyang Duchy toward a better future.

And that would undoubtedly encroach upon the empire's interests. He would inevitably face the empire's suppression.

"Perhaps I need to make preparations in advance."

He needed more talented people.

The remaining four hundred li took the caravan only seven days to cover.

It was already late August, and there were only a few days left before Heaven Dou Royal Academy began its term. However, Huangfu Ji was in no hurry.

Upon arriving outside Heaven Dou City, Huangfu Ji saw this city for the first time since his rebirth.

"As expected of the imperial capital."

Looking at the magnificent city before him, Huangfu Ji sighed. Compared to Heaven Dou City, Qingyang City was simply not worth mentioning.

The hundred-meter-high city walls were entirely built of granite. The empire's swan banners fluttered in the wind atop them. Travelers and merchants lined up at the city gates for inspection, and only after their identities had been verified did the guards allow them into the city.

After entering the city, a flourishing scene unfolded before them. Shops lined both sides of the streets, voices rose in a constant din, and pedestrians crowded the roads in an endless stream. Directly ahead lay a broad avenue one hundred meters wide, leading straight to the heart of the empire—the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Where are you going next?" Tang Yuehua asked. This was under the protection of the Heaven Dou Empire. Those people secretly following Huangfu Ji and seeking to kill him would never dare make a move here.

Now that they had reached Heaven Dou City, it was time for her to leave as well.

Huangfu Ji thought for a moment. "I'll just find an inn to stay in for now and wait for the academy to begin."

"Oh, right. I also need to make a trip to Sunset Forest to search for Golden Leaf Grass."

Tang Yuehua nodded. "Once you find the Golden Leaf Grass, you can come find me. I'll arrange for someone to deliver it to Xing Hu."

"And take this. If anything happens here, you can go to the Clear Sky Sect to find me."

Tang Yuehua handed her token to Huangfu Ji.

"Then I shall trouble you." Huangfu Ji accepted the token and cupped his hands in salute.

The Clear Sky Sect was several hundred li from Heaven Dou City, which was not particularly far for him. With Tang Yuehua's help, many matters would be much easier for him in the future.

"Yuehua takes her leave." After giving a salute, Tang Yuehua departed.

After watching her leave, Huangfu Ji headed toward an inn within the city. In principle, every nation had its own designated residence in Heaven Dou City, but Huangfu Ji did not go to the Qingyang Duchy's quarters. Instead, he found an inn.

It was mainly because he did not trust Yuan Hao.

In his view, even an inn was safer than that place.

After booking a room, he headed to the imperial palace to seek an audience with Xue Ye.

A palace attendant led him to the Imperial Study. Security throughout the palace was tight, with Imperial Guards stationed everywhere.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, the attendant went inside to report his arrival. He emerged shortly afterward and invited Huangfu Ji in.

After straightening his clothes, Huangfu Ji entered the Imperial Study.

The moment he stepped inside, he felt an intangible yet ever-present aura—an aura belonging solely to an emperor.

"Your subject, Grand Duke Qingyang Huangfu Ji, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed."

Huangfu Ji bowed respectfully.

Xue Ye, who had been handling state affairs, paused and looked up at the bowing Huangfu Ji, a gentle smile on his face.

"There is no need for such formality, my dear minister. You have traveled a long way; you must be tired."

At the moment, Xue Ye was not wearing an Imperial Robe, but a Casual Robe.

Huangfu Ji straightened up and glanced at Xue Ye. Xue Ye appeared to be around forty years old, showing little sign of age, and looked exceptionally energetic.

After sizing Huangfu Ji up, Xue Ye smiled and nodded.

"Not bad, not bad. What an imposing figure. Huangfu Yunhe truly has a fine son."

"Have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Huangfu Ji cupped his hands and bowed once more before walking over to sit down.

As soon as he sat, Xue Ye spoke.

"I am very pleased that you have come to study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The Empire needs talents such as yourself."

"I also know about Qingyang's situation. You are still young, so state affairs are temporarily being handled by the Prime Minister. Once you come of age, authority will naturally be returned to you."

Huangfu Ji smiled and nodded. He only needed to listen to words like those. What he needed to take seriously was what came before—what did Xue Ye mean by saying the Empire needed a talent like him? What talent did he have?

Most likely, Xue Ye simply did not want him to leave and wanted to keep him within the Empire.

As for returning power to him once he came of age? Forget it.

An emperor's mouth was full of lies.